If Stephen Colbert can declare Dressage his official sport of the summer, I’ve decided to ironically declare Rafalca, “America’s Horse”. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is awesome that Jan Ebeling and Rafalca made the team. They’re a great pair, had a great ride and scored well this morning. I also think that the exposure that Dressage has received because of Rafalca’s politically high-profile owner is amazing.

But let’s be honest here…

Isn’t it mildly annoying that NBC and therestofthepress are acting as if Rafalca was the first American dressage horse to ever go to the Olympics? Regardless of your political affiliation (and we can all conjecture which direction most of the dressage world leans), the Rafalca mania sweeping the press just seems wrong, especially given that there’s so much amazing talent on the team besides Jan and Rafalca.

2012 US Dressage Team: Jan Ebeling, rider of RAFALCA, America’s Horse is on the left. Oh and there’s these other riders who are also pretty good too. What?!

I understand why all the fuss and do appreciate the exposure and discussion, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

So… I guess we should just enjoy the moment in the sun that America’s Horse has given dressage. As for me, I’m more excited to see how “the rest of the team” does tomorrow.